Storm Women Look to Stay Perfect at Ashland Sunday

PAINESVILLE, OHIO -- After a week off for final exams, the undefeated Lake Erie College women's basketball returns to the court Sunday, Dec. 11, at Ashland University. The Storm (7-0, 2-0) is off to its best start ever and is undefeated in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) play after the opening weekend for the first time. Lake Erie defeated Wayne State University (81-71) and Hillsdale College (68-64) to start league play. This is just the second road game of the season for the Storm. They won at the Univeristy of Pittsburgh-Johnstown, 86-62, on Nov. 23.

LAST TIME OUT FOR THE STORM:Alyssa Wagers had her second straight double-double to lead four players in double figures as the Storm held off Hillsdale 68-64 for its seventh straight win. Wagers led all players with 19 points and a season-high 13 rebounds. She did most of her scoring damage at the foul line, hitting 11-of-14 free throws. Stephanie Rogers scored 13 points while Britt Busson and Cate Cianchetti each scored 11. Katie Bildner had 15 points and 12 rebounds to lead Hillsdale.

BEST START EVER: Prior to this season, the Lake Erie women had never started a season 2-0 let alone 7-0. In fact, the team had won its opening game just six times prior to this year. The Storm also won its first two GLIAC games for the first time.

DOUBLING UP: Senior all-league center Stephanie Rogers led the team with five double-doubles as a junior and is well on her way past that total this season. She had a string of four straight double-doubles between Nov. 20-Dec. 1. During that stretch she averaged 20.5 points and 13.0 rebounds per game while shooting 62.7% from the field and 85.7% from the foul line.

DOUBLING UP, AGAIN: Senior forward Alyssa Wagers is close behind Rogers with three double-doubles, including one in each of the last two games. She averaged 18 points and 11.5 boards in the Storm's GLIAC-opening weekend last week.

HOME COOKING: The Storm's season-opening schedule featured six of the team's first seven games within the friendly confines of the Jerome T. Osborne Family Athletic & Wellness Center. Lake Erie is 6-0 at "The O" this season and 36-32 all-time under Bob Booher.

OPPOSITION POSITION: After opening the season with a loss at Minnesota State University-Mankato, Ashland (6-1, 2-0 GLIAC) has won six straight, including a pair of wins over Hillsdale and Wayne State last weekend. The Eagles, last year's South Division co-champions, are the league's best shooting team and are second to Lake Erie in scoring offense so far. First-team All-GLIAC guard Jenna Stutzman was named GLIAC South Player of the Week last week after averaging 23 points and 5.5 assists in the Eagles' two wins.

A LOOK AHEAD: Lake Erie is off until Saturday, Dec. 17 when it plays its final game before Christmas at Northwood University. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m.